Luxury home sales hit record highs in 2013

Sales of luxury homes hit record highs in over two thirds of Canadian cities in 2013 - according to this report in the Toronto Star. Wealthy locals and a return of international investors in Canadian real estate meant a big boom in the sales of luxury homes and condos - especially after a slump in many cities in 2012.

Vancouver's market saw the highest increase, with a 36% increase over 2012. This meant the sale of over 1600 properties over $2 million - including the most expensive condo in the country. 

This 6500 sq. foot two story condo boasted three bedrooms, four bathrooms, a gym, a pool and a roof top deck. It sold for 25 million last year.

Calgary, Edmonton and Toronto also saw dramatic increases in the sale of luxury homes/

What amounts to “luxury” varies dramatically, from just $500,000 in smaller markets like London, according to ReMax, $1 million-plus in Calgary, more than $1.5 million in the Greater Toronto Area and $2 million and above in what remains Canada’s priciest city, Vancouver.

“Canada’s luxury housing market has undergone serious transformation in recent years,” says ReMax vice president Gurinder Sandhu. “The market is maturing and the appetite is unprecedented.”

New Brunswick Castle for sale - for less than a bungalow in Vancouver

Have you ever wanted to live in your very own castle? Well here is your opportunity, all it takes is a move to News Brunswick. 
Take a look at this....Castle Manor in Moncton, News Brunswick. You can actually own this, for $700,000.

 Castle Manor is 107 year old, 19000 sq. ft. CASTLE. It needs a little fixing up, but if you want space - this place has got it. 30000 sq. ft. lot, 12 foot ceilings and 54 rooms. Beautiful stained glass windows in a cut stone exterior. A lot to clean I suppose, but for $700,000 that is a steal of a deal. 

Vancouver's Province newspaper did a comparison of what $700,000 will buy you in Vancouver. These homes....not quite castles...

Read the full article on the Province site here. 

Why use a REALTOR?

Looking to buy or sell this year? There are lots of people who believe they can sell their home on their own - but having a REALTOR makes a huge difference. Here's why:

• The Multiple Listing Service® on Realtor.ca provides exposure to literally thousands of people exclusively through Realtors®.
       
• Realtors® abide by a strict code of ethics. A direct buyer or seller is not so constrained. Purchasers want the protection a Realtor can offer. 

"Slightly Haunted" home for sale

A couple in Dunmore, Pennsylvania has listed their home for sale. It is a 110 year old home, with 1850 sq. ft. of finished space and another 1350 sq. ft. of partially finished space. Original hardwood floors throughout,four bedrooms, 2.5 baths, even a "secret" room hidden behind a pair of bookcases. All this for only $144,000...and a slight catch.

Front Exterior of the "slightly haunted" home

The home is "slightly haunted". 

The buyers claim the haunting is nothing serious, but that buyers can expect "The sounds of phantom footsteps. A strange knocking sound followed by a very quiet (hardly noticeable, even) scream at 3:13am, maybe once a week. Twice a week, tops. And the occasional ghastly visage lurking behind you in the bathroom mirror. Even still, this occurs very rarely and only in the second floor bathroom."

Clever marketing scheme or sellers being honest about the different aspect of their home? Either way, they haven't seen much action on it. Interviewed over the weekend, the seller said they have had several calls from ghost hunters and curious looky-loos, but nothing from serious buyers.

Would you buy a home described as "slightly haunted"?

See more pictures of the home and read the entire listing here.

BC Home Sales show steady growth for 2013

BCREA - A report released by the BCREA today shows a bounce back in home sales in B.C. in 2013. Residential sales increased by 7.8% from 2012, while the annual residential home price in the province was up 4.4% from 2012. Total sales dollar volume was $39.2 billion, an 

increase of 12.6% compared to 2012.

“After declining nearly 12 per cent in 2012, home sales posted steady growth through last year,” said Cameron Muir, BCREA Chief Economist. “Greater Vancouver, Kamloops and Okanagan Mainline board posted the most significant changes, with home sales rising between 12.5 and 14 per cent. Stronger consumer demand combined with fewer 

homes listed for sale improved market conditions in most regions last year.”